and brown, are the prevailing colors. Unlike the ponchos and mangas of Spain, the zarapes are thrown over the shoulder, instead of inserting the head through a hole or slit in the middle. However, some of the latter style of blankets are worn, especially by diligence-drivers and donkey-boys. Stage-coachmen also wear leggings embossed with large nail-heads.
Huaraches, or leathern sandals, fastened with straps over the instep and across the ball of the foot, take the place of boots or shoes among the lower classes.
The usual style of dress among the peasant-women consists of a white waist and skirt, with a blue scarf or shawl (rebozo). These simple colors remind the traveler of those adopted by Murillo in his paintings of the Virgin. Straw hats, like those worn by the poorer class of men, are donned by the women.
The ladies in cities are generally dressed in plain black, and without a bonnet. They carry black silk parasols and black fans. The mantilla is now generally disused. Since 1881 young ladies, especially in the City of Mexico, have begun wearing hats of foreign make and dresses of various colors.[1]
The hacendados and country gentlemen usually wear suits of black cloth, consisting of a short Jacket with silver buttons, a waistcoat cut low, and pantaloons opening on the outside of the leg, with two rows of fancy silver buttons along the outer seam. A faja, or sash, which is commonly of a red color, is added to the costume, and the boots are made with high heels. This dress is worn in the tierra fria, and in the upper part of the tierra templada. In the tierra caliente the gentry wear plain white cotton suits with sombreros of felt or straw. In riding through
- ↑ The American consul at the capital informed the author that, in 1880, his wife was compelled to send to the United States for a bonnet, being unable to purchase one in the City of Mexico.
